Voting-machine.



PATENTED JULY 23, 1907.

W. LANGRILL.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JmiEe. 1906.

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PATENTED JULY 23, 1907.

W. LANGRILL. VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6, 190a.

W. LANGRILL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICIATION FILED JUNE 6. 1906.

PATENTED JULY 23, 1907.

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No. 860,675. PATBNTED JULY 23, 1907.

W. LANGRILL. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6.1906.

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WILLIAM LANGRILL, OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

VOTING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1907.

Application filed June 6,1906- Serial No. 320,418.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM LANGRILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to voting machines, one embodiment or which is illustrated in the drawings herewith, the invention, however, being capable of embodiment in other structures than that shown.

One object of my invention is to provide a machine of this description by means of which the voter or operator may easily and quickly indicate his choice of candidates.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the registering of the voters selection and the resetting of the machine is accomplished by one motion.

A further object of my invention is the provision or means whereby the entire or whole ticket must be indicated by the voter before the machine can be operated to register the vote and reset the machinery.

Another object is the provision of means for quickly resetting the machine in readiness for the next voter.

A further object is the provision of means whereby the voter in leaving the booth automatically registers his vote. I

A still Luther object is the provision of means for preventing the complete movement of the resetting means and hence rendering the machine inoperative until the vote has been registered and the locking mechanism reset.

A still further object is the provision of means which prevents one voter fromselecting two candidates for the same oifice.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means whereby restricted voting is possible, as where the voter is ineligible to vote for one or more candidates, or where he does not care to vote for the whole ticket.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features, and combinations of parts together with their equivalents, such as will be more fully set forth hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view 01' a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section on the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view, parts being removed to better disclose the construction. Fig. i is a vertical cross sectional view. Fig. 5 is a top plan view, parts being removed to better disclose the construction. Fig. 6 is an end view showing the gate. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the mechanism for locking the gate against closure. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the catch carried by the gate, and Fig. 9 is a detail view of the sectional locking mechanism.

A indicates the casing by which the mechanism is inclosed, the casing preferably being approximately rectangular in shape and resting upon a suitable base.

1, 1, indicate keys projecting from the front longitudinal face of the casing, the heads of which keys are provided with pointers adapted to indicate the names of the candidates selected. Lists (2) (2) of candidates are located alternately with the rows of keys, the lists being headed with the names of the various political parties while beneath are successively placed the names of the candidates and the ollices [or which they are candidates, a name and an office lying adjacent and laterally ol each key. The keys and lists are preferably arranged vertically and while I have shown but three keys in each vertical row, it is obvious that a greater or lesser number might be used and that more or less rows might be provided. The lists are preferably removably received between the vertical strips (3) (3).

i) (4) indicate shelves or horizontal partitions extending from end to end of the casing though they need not be continuous, and subdividing the easing into as many compartments as there are oiiices to be voted for, the stems ol' the keys being provided with slides (5) (5), which are merely continuations of the stems, received in ways (6) (6) mounted on the partitions, the stems also being provided with studs (7) (7) preterably projecting upwardly, the studs serving as stops to limit the inward movement of the keys and also adapted to be engaged by the resetting mechanism as hereinafter set forth. The slides are shouldered as at (7) which shoulders are adapted to engage the face plate of the casing to prevent the keys from being entirely withdrawn from the machine. The rear ends of the slides are preferably pointed as at (8) (8) and the rear longitudinal edges of the partitions are each provided with guides consisting of upstanding ledges (9) (9), the inner ledge being interrupted at points opposite the pointed rear ends of the slides, the outer ledge or walls or the guide being slotted as at (10) (10) to receive the rear ends of the slides. Oi course, these upstanding ledges are but one means for attaining the desired end and any other suitable construction might be employed without deviating from my invention.

As one means for preventing a voter i'rom voting for two candidates for the same oflice, I provide the following mechanism. (11) (11) indicate suitable sections slidiiigly received in the space between the guides (9), the adjacent ends of the sections being recessed or undercut as shown at (12) (12) so that a space will be left between the adjacent ends. Supposing there are three vertical rows of keys, there will be four sliding sections, a section being located at opposite ends of the machine and the other sections intermediate each two banks oi keys, there being a series of sections for each horizontal row oi keys. The sections normally extend the entire length of the space between the guides, the projecting reduced portions at the adjacent ends of the sections engaging each other and leaving a small space exactly opposite the pointed ends of the slides and in alinement with the slots (10) (10). The sections (11) lying at one end of the casing are permitted a slight play equivalent to say half the width of one of the slides, whereas the opposite end sections, (1.1) are adapted to be projected out oi the casing when one of the keys in each horizontal row is depressed. When, therefore, one of the slides is depressed or pushed inward, the pointed end oi the slide passes between the ends oi two adjacent sections and through the slot (10), forcing the sections apart, and thereby moving them along on each side oi the depressed slide so that the spaces between the adjacent recessed ends of the sections lying opposite the slides in the same horizontal row, are moved out oi alinement with such pointed ends, and an attempt to push in another key in the same row will be frustrated, the point of such other key engaging one of the sections which lies across or closes the slot (10) instead of passing between the ends oi two adjacent sections. The protruding ends oi the depressed keys may operate any suitable registering mechanism not shown.

After the vote has been registered, it becomes necessary to reset the machine, and as one means for accomplishing this end, I provide the iollowing mechanism.-Extending parallel with and wholly inclosed between the longitudinal walls of the casing is a irame movable in a diagonal direction between the longitudinal walls of the casing, or in other words, capable of a parallel displacement forward and backward, the irame being connected to the casing above and below by the parallel links (27) (27) and supported on a cross brace (28) extending between and connected to the longitudinal walls of the casing.

Mounted in and connecting the vertical sides of the irame are a series of parallel bars (29) (29) extending horizontally between the sides of the frame and in proximity to and parallel with the partitions (4) (4) supporting the slides. The bars are spaced above the partitions su'l'lieiently far to afford clearance for the slides and stems but are engaged by the upwardly projecting studs (7) (7) and thereby limit the inward movement oi the slides, movement in the opposite direction being limited by the shoulders (7) oi the slides engaging the iront wall oi the casing.

At one end the rear wall oi the casing is cut away to receive a rear-wardly extending plate (30) carried by the frame and being of a sufficient area so that when the irame is at its iorward limit of movement the plate will have engaged the protruding ends oi all the sections (11") and have forced them toward the center of the machine to partially reset the sections. The forward diagonal movement of the irame will also cause the horizontal bars carried thereby to engage the upstanding studs (7) (7) and crowd them forward to reset the keys and with-draw the slides from the slots (10), the total movement oi the frame from back to front being sufficient to reset the keys, the key-resetting action being arranged to occur just prior to the section-resetting action as the sections cannot be reset until the slides have been withdrawn irom the slots (10) in the guides (9) (9).

As one means for operating the resetting frame, I have provided the following mechanis1n,A. slotted lever (31) is pivot-ally secured at one end to the wall of the casing intermediate its ends, a headed stud (32) being carried by the movable frame and passing through the slot (32) in the lever, the slot being somewhat aslant. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally secured to one end of a double link (33), the opposite end of which is secured to a gate (3 1) hinged and adapted to swing relative to the casing. Thus it will be seen that as the gate is swung out from the casing, the double link will rock the slotted lever and cause the frame to move forwardly in a diagonal direction, the closing of the gate operating to return the frame to its normal rearward position.

As one means for requiring the voter to vote an entire ticket, either straight or split, I have provided the following mechanism,Located adjacent the end sections (11 (11 at one end of the casing is a locking member comprising a vertically disposed slat (38) loosely mounted in suitable sockets (39) near the gate (34). The slat is preferably provided with a vertical series of projecting teeth (-10) (-10). The end sections (11 (11) are provided with lugs ll) (4].) adapted to lie above the respective teeth oi the slat when the machine is in set position, but when the sections in one plane or horizontal row are spread apart or separated by the protruding end of a key, the latter having been depressed to effect this end, the lug of that end section is moved out of the path oi its respective tooth. As there are as many teeth and lugs as there are offices to be voted for, it follows that until the voter has indicated his choice of candidate for each office, one or more lugs will lie above their respective teeth and the vertical slat cannot be raised. One oi the sockets, preferably the upper one, incloses a spring (:12) for insuring the descent of the slat to normal position after it has been raised in releasing the gate, as hereinafter set forth.

The gate (34) is provided with a projecting bar (43) to the outer end of which is pivotally secured the handle (4) as at (45), a leai spring (46) yieldingly maintaining the pivoted handle (43) in alinement with the rigid bar (43), the handle being arranged to oscillate downwardly, but not laterally, such latter movement being prevented by the braces (47) secured to the sides oi the pivoted handle (43) and overlapping the rigid bar (43). An extension linger 18) is preferably secured to one of the braces, the linger extending inward into the casing and being shouldered as at 19) at its inner end, which end takes beneath the free end oi a leaf spring or other projection (50) fastened to the locking slat (38). A spring hook (511.) projects irom the casing and takes over the outer brace (47 near its inner end when the gate is in closed position to retain it in such position until released by the downward movement of the pivoted portion of the handle. The handle is adapted to extend across the door or entrance to a voting booth, of which the machine may constitute one wall. When the booth is empty the gate (34) 5 stands open with the handle projecting outward and in this position the resetting mechanism has been moved out of its normal position and locks the keys in their normal position. When a voter enters the booth, the inspector closes the gate, thereby returning the resetting mechanism to normal position so as to render the machine operative. By closing the gate, the handle is engaged and locked by the resilient hook (51) so that the voter cannot leave the booth until he has voted an entire ticket or indicated his choice of candidates, as will be more apparent hereinafter. When the voter has complied with all requirements, he may rock the handle (43) to release it from the hook and locking bar and swing the handle and gate outward to permit him to leave the booth. By so doing however, he resets the machine and leaves it in readiness for the next comer.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the gate has been brought to closed position, the machine being set, it is impossible to open the gate until the hook (51) is released. To release the hook it is necessary to move the handle (43 whereupon the inner end of the outer brace will move upward against the spring hook until the are of the circle traversed by the free end of the brace passes from beneath the hook. But it will be remembered that the pivoted handle (413) also has secured thereto the recessed finger (48) and as this finger takes beneath the lower end of the leaf spring or other projection (50) carried by the slat (3S) and furthermore, since the slat cannot be raised until all the officers have been voted for, it is obvious that the gate cannot be released to register a partial vote, except under special circumstances hereinafter set forth. When the officers have all been voted for, the end sections (11) carrying the lugs (41.) will have been moved out of the path of the teeth (40) carried by the slat, whereupon a downward pressure on the pivoted handle (43) will rock the latter together with the braces and extension finger, the latter raising the vertical slat (38) against the tension of spring (42) as it passes from beneath the spring and the brace (47) raising the spring hook in the same manner as it releases itself therefrom. The gate can now be swung open to reset the machine as heretofore described.

The outer ends of the lug carrying sections (11) (11 are accessible from the end of the machine and in fact, protrude from the machine when the keys have been depressed. When the gate is opened, its rear edge, which may be provided with a wear plate (52), is adapted to come into contact with these projecting ends and 55 cooperates with the plate (30) to reset the sections, the

end sections (11") being forced back into position so that the lugs (41) once more lie in the path of the teeth (40) of slat (38) which is immediately returned to normal position by spring (42) after the finger (48) has cs- 60 caped from beneath the spring (50) carried thereby.

'In the event that the gate is not fully opened by the voter on leaving or in case he should close the door upon leaving, it mig happen that the machine would fail to reset because the gate was not completely opened.

Also it is necessary that the gate be completely opened in order to reset the locking slat (38) by pushing back the lug-carrying sections (11") and in order to prevent any oversight in this matter, I provide the gate with means which requires the attention of the inspector before the gate can be closed, and as one such means I have shown the casing (A) as carrying a curved guard (53) flanged at its upper edge as at (54) beneath which flange and within the guard is located a similarly curved ratchet plate (55). The gate swings within the circumference of the guard and ratchet plate, its outer edge being provided preferably with a gravity catch (56), the body (56) of which is inclosed and slides within a guide (57) slotted as at (58), the slot being long enough to per mit the sliding catch to engage the ratchet teeth or to ride upon the overhanging flange (54). The flange is of less length than the toothed portion of the ratchet plate and hence when the gate is in closed position, the catch drops down into engagement with the first of the teeth on the plate. As the gate is thrown open by the voter when leaving, the catch rid es over the successive teeth until the limit of movement of the gate is reached, whereupon access may be had to the catch to raise it above the ratchet plate by means of the tail piece (59) so that it may rest upon the flange (54) whereupon the gate may be closed, the catch dropping off the flange onto the ratchet plate when the gate is nearly closed. If, however, the inspector or voter attempts to close the gate before the latter has been completely opened, the catch will take against one of the ratchet teeth to prevent such closing movement of the gate, nor can the operator have access to the catch to raise it on account of the overhanging flange until the gate has been completely opened.

In the event that a voter is not qualified to vote for one or more officers, and yetis entitled to vote for others, I can so arrange the machine to register such vote only relative to those of lieers for which he is qualified to vote and to accomplish this end, all that is necessary is for the operator to push inward the end of such lug-carrying section (11 as controls the depression of the keys indicating the of'lice for which the voter is unqualified to choose candidate, the lug-carrying section being forced inward far enough so that the lug (41) carried thereby lies inside and beyond the adjacent tooth (40) of the slat. By pushing in such section, the lug l 1) is caused to pass out of the path of movement of its tooth so that it will not interfere with the unlocking or release of the gate and furthermore, it has shifted the series of sections controlling the depression of keys for that of lice so that not one of the keys can be dc pressed even if the voter tries to do so. This same mechanism can be operated in case a voter does not care to vote for the whole ticket.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have d eviscd a very simple, yet highly efficient machine which will quickly and accurately register the voters choice and which saves considerable time over the old manner of voting besides preventing the many subtorfuges hitherto resorted to by unprincipled politicians to stuff the ballot.

The various operative parts of the machine are synchronized relative to each other so that the operation of one mechanism takes place at its proper time and in step, and it must be understood that the present drawings and description merely illustrate one oi a number of constructions which might embody my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is- A voting machine comprising individual independent mechanism for indicating the selection of a plurality of candidates for the respective ofiices, means actuated by the operation of any individual mechanism for preventing the selection of an additional candidate for the same otlice, mechanism for resetting the machine, and means for retaining the resetting mechanism inoperative until the voter has indicated his entire choice, said means being successively unlocked by the successive actuation of the individual independent selective mechanisms, as the voter indicates his choice.

2. A voting mechanism comprising a series of rows of keys, a row of locking sections for each row of keys, at resetting mechanism, a latch for normally retaining the resetting mechanism at one limit of its movement, a locking member cooperating with the locking sections for normally preventing the release of the latch, the actuation of any one key in a row adapted to operate the locking sec tions of that row to prevent the actuation of any remain ing key in the same row and to partially release the locking member.

2). A voting machine comprising a series of keys freely movable back and forth prior to the registration of the vote, suitably supported locking sections arranged in alinement with each other and adapted to be separated by the insertion of a key between any two adjacent; sections, the outer ends of the opposite end sections adapted to pro trude from the opposite ends of the support, and a single connected resetting mechanism adapted to simultaneously return the keys and locking sections to normal positions, the resetting means adapted to engage and return the protruding ends of the end sections and move them toward each other.

4. A voting machine comprising a series of keys freely movable back and forth, suitably supported separable locking sections, the joints between which normally lie in the paths of movement of the keys, the movement of one key adapted to move the sections into the paths of movement of the remaining keys and causing the outer ends of the end S( tions to protrude from the support, a resetting mechanism comprising a frame, bars carried by the frame and extending across the keys intermediate their ends, studs carried by the keys intermediate their ends and en gaging the bars when the keys are moved in one direction, a gate, levers connecting the frame and gate and a plate carried at one end of the frame, the resetting mechanism adapted to simultaneously return the keys and the locking sections to normal position the gate and plate located at opposite ends of the machine and adapted to engage and return the protruding end sections.

A voting machine comprising a series of keys freely movable back and forth prior to the registration of the vote, suitably supported locking sections arranged in alinement with each other and adapted to be moved apart from each other by the insertion of a key between any two adjacent sections, the outer ends of the end sections adapted to protrude from the opposite ends of the support and a single connected resetting mechanism adapted to engage the protruding outer ends and move them toward each other to return the series of locking sections to normal position.

(3. A voting machine comprising a depressible selective mechanism, and means for resetting the selective mechanism, said means consisting of a frame. bars carried thereby and engaging the selective mechanism, links supporting the frame, a swinging member and a double link connecting the frame and swinging member to impart a parallel reciprocating movement to the frame and reset the depressed selective mechanism.

7. A voting machine comprising a series of depressible keys, a slotted guide, the keys depressed adapted to pass through the slots in the guide, a series of: sections in .the guide, the sections adapted to be crowded apart by the key depressed, whereby the end sections project: from opposite ends of the guide, a resetting frame, a plate carried by the frame at one end, a swinging member located at the opposite end of and connected with the frame, the movement: of the member in one direction adapted to reset the depressed keys, the projecting end sections adapted to lie in the paths of the member and the plate and to be reset thereby.

8. A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism, a mechanism actuated by the selective mechanism, for preventing the selection of more than one candidate for an olIice, s: (1 last named mechanism comprising a series of suitably supported sliding sections. the end sections adapted to project beyond their support subsequent to the actuation of the selective mechanism, a movable normally inoperative resetting mechanism for the selective mechanism, the end sections projecting into the path of and being moved toward each other into normal position by the resetting mechanism during its operation.

9. A voting machine compr sing a series of independent deprcssible selective mechanisms, a resetting mechanism therefor and a combination locking member controlled by the respective individual selective mechanisms for preventing the actuation of the resetting mechanism until a full ticket has been selected, the locking member being released step-by-stiep as the individual selective mechanisms are depressed.

it). A voting machine comprising a depressible selective mechanism, resetting mechanism therefor, and a single means for simultaneously preventing the selection ot, more than one candidate for an otlice and for preventing the operation of the resetting mechanism until a full ticket: has been selected.

11. A voting machine comprising a depressible selective mechanism, resetting mechanism, a swinging gate for actuating the resetting mechanism, a pivoted handle carried by the gate, a resilient; hook engaging the handle when the gate is closed, a vertically movable. locking slat, a linger on the pivoted handle adapted to engage the slat when the gate is in closed position to prevent the release of the gate, teeth carried by the slat, slidin sections located adjacent the gate, lugs carried by the sections and engaged by the teeth when the machine is in set position, the actuation of the selective mechanism adapted to slide the sections and lugs out of the path of the teeth to permit the handle to be rocked to release the gate from the hook.

1;. In a voting machine, the combination with selective mechanism, and resetting mechanism, of means for maintaining the resetting mechanism inoperative until a full ticket: is selected, said means comprising a swinging gate for operating the resetting mechanism, a movable slat, a pivoted handle carried by the gate, means relc: sably cngaging the pivoted handle to retain the gate in closed position, said means being released by the rocking of the handle. a linger carried by the handle and engaging the slat to prevent: rocking ol' the handle, and locking means engaged by the slat to prevent movement thereof, said locking means actuated by the selective mechanism to move out of the path of movement of the slat.

13. in a voting machine the combination with rows of selective mechanisms and res ting mechanism for such selective mechanisms, of mechanism for maintaining the resetting mechanism inoperative until a full ticket has been selected and means adapted to be actuated to simultaneously render any one or more rows of the selective mechanism inoperative and to partially release the resetting mechanism,

14. In av voting machine, the combination with a selective mechanism comprising several rows of keys, of a se ries of slidable sections for each row of k the depression of any one key in a row operating to crowd the sections apart to prevent the depression of another key in the same row, resetting mechanism, a locking slat controlling the actuation of the re. tl'lllg mechanism and lugs on the sections for preventing the actuation of the lock ng slat: until one key in each row is depi d I atil all the keys in one or more rows are rendered inoperative.

15. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of individual selective mechanisms comprising several rows of keys, of a resetting mechanism, locking means for rendering inoperative the resetting mechanism until a full ticket has been selected by the operation'of a plurality of individual'keys, means actuated by one key in each row for releasing the locking means step-by-step and a stop means for preventing the return of the resetting mechanism to normal position until the locking means has been reset.

16. In a voting machine, the combination with selective and resetting mechanisms, of a swinging gate capable of movement in two directions for operating the resettingmechanism, a stationary ratchet plate, a (log *arried by the gate and engaging the ratchet plate, and a guard inclosing the ratchet plate and dog, the dog being accessible only after a full movement of the gate in one direction is made.

17. In a voting machine, the combination with selective and resetting mechanisms, of a locking mechanism for retaining the resetting mechanism inoperative, a swinging member controlling the actuation of the locking and resetting mechanisms, and a second locking mechanism for preventing a return movement of the swinging member until the iirst locking mechanism has been reset.

18. In a voting machine, the combination with selective, locking and resetting mechanisms, of a swinging member controlling the actuation of the locking and resetting mechanisms, a ratchet plate located adjacent the member, a dog carried by the member and automatically engaging the ratchet plate, the dog freely moving in one direction over the ratchet plate, a guard preventing access to the dog when in engagement with the ratchet plate, the guard cut away at a point adjacent which the dog is brought when the member has reached its outward limit of movement to permit access to the dog, the dog adapted to be retained out of engagement with the ratchet plate during the return movement of the member.

19. In a voting machine, the combination with selective, and resetting mechanisms, of a swinging member controlling the resetting mechanism, a handle pivotally secured to the member, a resilient hook adapted to take over the handle and lock the member in closed position, a finger carried by the pivoted handle, a locking slat adapted to engage and hold the finger and handle against rocking movement, and means for retaining the locking slat against movement, said means released by the actuation of the selective mechanism to permit the rocking of the handle and finger to lift the slat and release the finger and handle from the slat and hook respectively.

20. A voting mechanism comprising a series of selective mechanisms, 21. resetting mechanism, locking means for rendering the resetting mechanism inoperative until a plurality of the selective mechanisms have been individually actuated and means operated by the actuation of the selective mechanisms for releasing the locking means sLep-by-stcp.

21. The combination in a voting machine, with selective,

and resetting mechanism, of a gate for actuating the resetting mechanism, a locking mechanism adapted to retain the gate inoperative until a full ticket has been selected, said locking mechanism comprising a pivoted means on the gate, a locking member engaging the pivoted means, a movable locking slat engaged by the pivoted means, and means normally engaging the slat to prevent movement thereof, said last named means actuated by the operation of the selective mechanism and moved out of the path of the locking slat.

A voting machine comprising a series of individual selective mechanisms, a resetting member therefor, the resetting member capable of a movement toward and from the selective mechanism, its normal position being away from the selective mechanism, means for rendering the resetting member inoperative until a plurality of individual selective mechanisms have been separately actuated, means operated by the actuation of the individual selective mechanisms for releasing the locking means step-bystep, and a movable member for simultaneously moving the resetting member toward the selective mechanism and for resetting the locking mechanism.

23. In a voting machine, the combination with individ ual selective mechanisms and resetting mechanism, of means actuated by the selective mechanism for preventing the choice of two or more candidates for the same olllce, means for preventing the actuation of the resetting means until a predetermined plurality of selective mechanisms have been separately actuated, a movable member controlling the resetting mechanism, and locking means on the movable member and accessible only after the resetting mechanism has been partially actuated, for preventing the exit of the voter until he has indicated his choice.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM LANGRILL.

Witnesses A. A. Eas'rnnny, RALPH S. WAnmnLn. 

